In honor of my late father, who built up the largest native plant nursery in the North West, and to educate and inspire young students in protecting and enjoying our natural environments, I have created this 22″ x 22″ poster called, “Nativica.” It features 30 native North West plants, animals and ecosystems for students to identify, and a fictional story of a young woodswalker who saves the day.

For a 22″ x 22″ Nativica poster for your home or classroom, pay $45.00 via my paypal.com account, — major credit or debit cards — with a bit extra for postage, and you’ll get your poster in about a week to 10 days.

Learning questions for exploring this poster, “Nativica” — as a learning platform about our NW native plants, animals and habitats.

Where is the Scrub Jay? What native NW tree provide it’s main meals?

Where is the Paper Birch tree? How can it be used as paper?

Where is the Quaking Aspen, and how did it get that name?

Where is our native NW squirrel, and what is it called? How is it similar to the Scrub Jay?

Where is the Red Osier Dogwood plant, and its roots? How does the root system help the salmon?

Where is the native strawberry, and ginger plants? Why are they called ‘ground covers,’ and why do they grow close to river banks?

What are two ways of identifying our native trees?

Where is Western Red Cedar, and why is it called ‘red?’ What is one important use of this tree in native peoples’ history and why?

Where is the Garry (White) Oak tree?

What does it take to be a WoodsWalker, like the boy in this painting? What is he holding in his hand?

What is the puppy looking at? How does that amphibian help us know the health of an ecosystem?

Where is the Trillium? Where are the ants? How do ants and Trilliums help each other out? Can you name the parts of a trillium and is it fact or fiction that it will die if you pick the top off?

How can planting with native NW plants help our area cope with climate change?

How do native plants reduce your carbon footprint on the planet?

Can you identify the main three features of each of these special habitats?

How many of these native NW plants can you name and say a bit about the habitat they like to grow in?

all artwork and text by Heidi D. Hansen and is copyrighted, permission required to use or reproduce. Email Heidi at dog.hotel.hansen@gmail.com.